A few weeks ago, we jumped on a busy train and headed to the amazing city of Liverpool and headed straight to find Stanley Lock Flight.

Just a few meters from hustle and bustle, we found our towpath. It led us to a gem nestled deep within the housing development—a historic canal. Once a site of heavy industry, it is now a sanctuary of nature and reflection.

The change I felt inside by being by the water was instant. The sun was shining across the canal, rippling in the slight breeze. It literally stopped me in my tracks. As I stood there, I felt a deep connection to the stillness. I took a few deep breaths and noticed my racing thoughts simply vanish. It wasn’t an expensive retreat or a formal meditation; it was the simple, raw power of standing by the water.

It’s no wonder we feel this pull. With our bodies and our planet both composed largely of water, we are biologically wired to respond to its presence. Experts call this an “innate predisposition”—because we evolved near water, being near a canal or river feels like “returning home” to our brains.

A recent study of 20,000 people found that humans are at their happiest when they are in “Blue Spaces.”

Liverpool is a city world-famous for its music and culture, but on our recent trip, we discovered a different side of its soul: its incredible “blue spaces.” This visit was particularly special as it’s the city where my partner was born, yet I had never been. We were there to survey a new route for our Family Well-being Trails, and what we found was a beautiful reminder of why our canals are such undervalued treasures.

The Magic of the Stanley Flight

Our journey began right in the heart of the city. Dropped off in the hustle and bustle of a city centre housing estate, you’d never guess you were seconds away from a sanctuary. But as soon as we took those first few steps onto the towpath, the city noise faded.

The immediate effect of hearing the water lapping against the stones is honestly amazing. One of my favourite moments was crossing a bridge funded by the legendary Cilla Black—a lovely little throwback to my youth!

The Stanley Lock Flight itself is steeped in history. You feel the heritage immediately. For local residents, this isn’t just a path; it’s a vital “breathing space” in the middle of a busy day.

You can download a copy of the Stanley Lock Flight Family Wellbeing Trail here.